HOME Back

My Favorites

${v.title}

${v.desc | trunc(25)}

${v.title}

${v.desc | trunc(25)}

View All

Use the

Planning a Trip to Japan?

Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp

None

Matsue’s Electric-powered Sightseeing Cruise

©Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 　　

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Matsue’s Electric-powered Sightseeing Cruise

Take a sightseeing cruise around the historic sights of Matsue, taking in the views from the canals and moats of this castle town

Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture

Matsue City in Shimane Prefecture is fondly known as the “city of water,” as it is cradled between the Shinji and Nakaumi lakes.

The historic townscape is traversed by winding rivers, canals, and moats that snake their way through streets that date back to the Edo Period (1603 -1868), flowing under both traditional and modern bridges. You can experience firsthand how the boats are designed so that their roofs can be lowered by boatmen to pass under the many low bridges.

Explore the waterways by sightseeing boat, which use quiet electric propulsion motors. Matsue aims to create a sustainable community, and switching to electric engines for the Horikawa sightseeing boats and decarbonizing tourist spots around Matsue Castle are one part of their efforts.

Glide silently through the centuries-old moat of Matsue Castle, checking out the lush greenery and undisturbed wildlife. Enjoy the ride on this boat that contributes to carbon neutrality thanks to its environmentally friendly engine, which creates no noise or exhaust gases.

In winter, stay cozy and warm thanks to kotatsu, traditional Japanese heated tables, while gazing at Matsue’s snowy landscape.

How to get there

From Shin-Osaka Station, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Okayama Station (about 40 minutes), then switch to the limited express train to Matsue Station (about 2 hours and 30 minutes). From the station, take the local Lakeline Bus to Horikawa Yuuransen Noriba bus stop (about 20 minutes).

From Shin-Osaka Station, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima Station (1 hour and 25 minutes), then switch to the special discounted highway bus that runs directly to Matsue Station (about 3 hours).

507-1 Kuroda-cho, Matsue-shi, Shimane-ken